Just one week to go before the warning signal comes up for the largest and best skilled fleet in kiteboard racing ever.

More than 140 competitors from 28 nations representing all continents have registered to find their champion on Germany's most prestigious island Sylt, located in the North Sea which produces challenging conditions with sometimes strong winds and waves.

The Kiteboard Racing World Championship is coming to Europe for the first time in history, and the strong European fleet led by Masters World Champion Bjorn Rune Jensen (DEN), current world ranking leader Olivier Dansin and last years overall world cup winner Bruno Sroka (both France) are keen to steal the title from the Americans who were keeping them in their rows for the past two years. Reigning World Champion Adam Koch is on the US team as well as two times Olympic medalist Mike Gebhardt.

South America is represented by continental champion Pedro Montenegro as well as Asia is by continental champion Yo Pudla.

Same situation in the womens fleet: in absence of reigning world champion Kari Schivebaag (NOR, injured), last years overall world cup winner and European Champion Steph Bridge (GBR) is facing strong competition from North American Champion Melissa Gil (CRC) and South American Champion Nayara Licariao (BRA).

Besides the battle for the course racing world championship, also the freestylers will have their say on the water during the first stage of the European Championship Tour, which is held at the same time and attracts some of the finest freestylers in the world.

Sylt is not only known for the action on the water but also for the parties on land, and thus several ten thousand spectators are expected to follow the races and the beach and night life.